8 Ways to Make Family Life Easier (& More Meaningful)

Life with kids is not always easier. There’s a million things to do and challenging situations abound. But on a daily basis, there are systems we can create that make our lives what we want them to be.

Not only do they make our days smoother, but they bring our family closer in a way that we wouldn’t otherwise have. Try one of these out!

1. Daily Kid Checklists

Kids need to know what’s expected of them. A short daily morning chart or checklist that helps them know what needs to be done teaches them responsibility. In our house, checklists and their chore chart template printable must be done before electronics and allowance are given.

2. Limited Electronics

Whether you implement a kid checklist or not, boundaries on electronics will make life SO MUCH easier. Instead of making it contingent on a set of actions, you could set a timeline such as electronics only from 5:30-7:00 pm.

3. Dinner Help & Clean Up

Parents should not have to clean up on their own! When the house is messy, implement the 5 minute clean up. After dinner, set a timer and everyone picks up like crazy until the timer goes off. It’s so short that the kids don’t have time to complain. But, if you see them not moving you can add a minute to keep them accountable.

4. Family Walks

Take a short family walk after dinner in the warmer months. It’s great for digestion and it gives the family time to be together outside to chat or get energy out before bed.

5. Family Dinners

Statistics show that family dinner is a HUGE factor in raising happy and healthy kids. So, make sure to have plenty of meals that the family eats together without screens. Use the opportunity to ask questions about school and work on table etiquette.

6. Dinner Actions

At dinner, create a short prayer or something to be thankful for before the meal. It brings everyone together for a moment to pause and reflect. During the meal, ask family members what their highs and lows (or good/grit, sweet/sour) were for the day. It gets talking started going and promotes deeper conversation.

7. Gratitude Jar

Keep a gratitude or happiness jar in your home. At dinner, everyone writes something they loved about their day (or are thankful for). At the end of every month or year, read what’s in your jar to highlight the good moments that made the year special. This is a great way to focus on the positive as a family.

8. Bedtime Routine

Create one ritual at bedtime that closes out the day. I love doing a quick journaling question with my kids before bed. They also say a prayer with dad and talk about something they’re grateful for.

In Conclusion

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed these small ways to make family life easier and more meaningful! Which will you pick today? We’ll be working on making our bedtime routine work for us (instead of against us!)